BELTED
I've already talked about how much I love this dress in this post here, but can we talk about how adorable it looks with an anorak over it?! I will admit, I probably wear this jacket too often, but that goes to show you how versatile an anorak can be. I've linked a similar one above that I'm currently trying to talk myself out of buying. Originally, I belted both pieces with a black belt, but I loved the pop of color that the red one added. Belting a jacket over a dress not only defines the waist, but it can pull your look together instantly. It's a win, win!
ALL TIED UP
Report 'Lipton' Suede Over The Knee Boots
Merona Felight Gray Fedora
Forever 21 Unstructured Denim Clutch
Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses
Kate Spade Stud Earrings
David Yurman X Crossover Ring
Michele Gold CSX Watch
Lace-up tops and dresses are everywhere this season and I love this Topshop number from Nordstrom. It is lined behind the laces so it's a little more conservative than some options out there, but this allows it to be more versatile. This dress can easily be taken from day to night, too! For the office, you could pair it with tights, booties, and a top-knot. For night (or weekends), you can pair it with some over-the-knee boots like these and a fun hat!
I also love getting more wears out of a dress by putting a skirt over it and making it look like a top! A suede skirt like the one from this post would be perfect! When wearing a skirt over a dress, I usually go with something A-line so the dress doesn't bunch up underneath. When you look at your closet with this in mind, it always seems like there are so many more options! You can never have enough options, right?!
ONE YEAR
Haley + Skyler from Jenn Byrne on Vimeo.
GROOM //
CALVIN KLEIN SLIM FIT TUXEDO JACKET // PANT
ASOS SLIM FIT TUXEDO JACKET IN WHITE //
SAKS OFF FIFTH SLIM FIT COTTON DRESS SHIRT //
Skyler and I met in the 5th grade when his family moved to Lexington, KY. We grew up right down the street from one another and were always good friends. Although we never dated until after college, I guess you could say we always had a crush on each other! Shortly after I graduated college, Skyler moved back to Lexington from Texas. One night we went out with a group of friends, but somehow ended up at the bar by ourselves. Skyler told our cab driver that night that we had met on match.com and that he moved From Texas to Lexington to be with me. That isn't true (although hilarious because the cab driver totally believed him), but that night we decided to be a couple and never looked back!
Two and a half years later, on a crisp evening in late October, Skyler proposed at our favorite restaurant down the street from our loft in downtown Nashville. He had a friend copy the Merchant's menu, changing only the specialty drinks on the list with names and descriptions of key moments in our relationship. The last drink was named "Merchants On The Rocks," and by the time I got to reading it, Skyler was on one knee holding the most gorgeous rock I had ever seen!
Of course I said yes and one week later with the help of my mother-in-law, we found the most perfect wedding location and set our wedding date for October 3rd, 2014. We decided to get married in Nashville because we were living there at the time and also thought it would be a great destination for our friends and family. Everyone loves Nashville and if you're thinking about a destination wedding, I would highly recommend Music City!
Weeks later, wedding planning was in full swing and it was time to go dress shopping. Unlike most brides, I had no idea what kind of dress I wanted. Dress shopping was my favorite wedding planning activity, I went 6 times! I finally found 'the dress' at Rebecca's Wedding Boutique in Louisville. I went with Watters' bridal separates because it gives you the opportunity to change your look for the reception by just changing your skirt! To me, this is ideal because you don't have to bustle your dress and you can opt for a more comfortable skirt for drinks and dancing! I chose a Space 46 skirt for the reception and the short length allowed me to show off my sparkling Sergio Rossi booties! I wasn't the only one who had a costume change, however. Skyler also had two tuxedo jackets and changed into a white jacket after the ceremony. I have to say, he looks pretty handsome in both!
Skyler and I both grew up in Lexington, KY and spent our weekends in the spring and fall watching the horse races at Keeneland. Our home decor is reminiscent of our times at the track with antique horse racing memorabilia and knick knacks throughout our house. We decided to carry this theme into our wedding starting with our save the date photos taken at Keeneland. Everything from the invitation suite, escort cards, place cards, cake toppers, and cocktail hour in the barn at Cedarwood were inspired by our fondest memories in the Bluegrass State.
Wedding planning was so much fun but also a little stressful. Despite having a very small wedding (70 people total), I probably had a few too many DIY projects on my plate. I took an online calligraphy class and addressed all of our save the date and wedding invitations, designed our save the dates, made custom rosette escort cards, horseshoe place cards, created a unique guest book, and many more! My best advice would be to cut the amount of DIY projects you have in half and not do them all on your own. Have a weekend or even just a day for friends to get together and help you tackle multiple projects at once. It's really fun, and it will save you so much time and stress, trust me!
All of the planning and stress was well worth it in the end. Our wedding day was the most perfect day I could ever have imagined. It really is true what they say, that it's the best day ever! The weather forecast showed 100% chance of rain, but it ended up being the most beautiful fall day. I will never forget the look on my husband to-be's face when he saw me for the first time. I'm tearing up just thinking about it! It was also the most glamourous day of my life and to top it all off, we rode in Waylon Jenning's limo to and from the wedding venue!
Walking down the aisle hand-in-hand with my brother Mick to my dad's favorite song, 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' was truly bittersweet. My dad passed away in 2010, so we released a balloon in his honor at the beginning of the ceremony. My beautiful bouquet was wrapped with his brass nameplate belt and I also wore his fingerprint charm on my bracelet so he was with me on our special day.
All in all, it was a true Kentucky wedding in Music City and I couldn't be more thankful, even a year later. To our family and friends, photographers, videographer, the staff at Cedarwood, and even our precious limo driver, thank you SO MUCH!
Cheers to a year of marriage and to many, many more!
Wedding Venue: Cedarwood, Photographer: Aesthetiica, Videographer: Jenn Byrne, Catering: A Dream Come True Catering, Cake: Patty Cakes, Transportation: Matcheless Transportation, First Look Location: Union Station Hotel
I'VE GOT THE BLUES
I have to admit, I have a huge crush on fall's trends. Sleek dresses like this one that could easily go from day to night are simply irresistible, especially in a lovely shade of light blue! I've already told you here how much I love bow blouses, and this dress is just another example of why a bow blouse (or dress) is so great. I'm also a sucker for over the knee boots, and these Steve Madden boots are to die for. They are comfortable, sleek, and will be a staple for years to come! What is your favorite fall trend?
LITTLE SUEDE DRESS
I have had this faux suede dress for quite some time and absolutely love wearing it in the fall and winter months. Faux suede dresses are great because they are less expensive than the real deal and way easier to care for. They can be dressed up or down, worn with tights or without, and are perfect for these hot "fall" days! I've linked three different options that are equal parts darling and versatile, which one is your favorite?
GRAY MATTER
I found this gray MINKPINK dress while on an impromptu shopping trip at the downtown Seattle Nordstrom. Not only is this dress extremely flattering, but it's also great for layering making it a perfect summer to fall transition piece. It also looks adorable with a flannel shirt tied at the waist or an anorak jacket!
Cut It Out
Stone Cold Fox
I've been wanting some Stone Cold Fox clothing since they started years ago. The lace they use is absolutely stunning and it is made in the beautiful state of California. This dress is one that I will wear for years to come... if I don't wear it out before the summer ends! They also make amazing robes (perfect for bride/bridesmaid gifts)! Visit their site here!
Under the Moon
Grand Cayman was very hot and humid, but this dress is lightweight and airy. It's also the perfect coverup because it can be worn to the pool, a casual dinner, or dressed up for a date night at the beach! I tried milkmaid braids for the first time in the Caymans so I could have my hair up, but also wear a hat. For this look, I tried milkmaid fishtail braids and I loved them! What is your favorite beach hairstyle?